LHL Publisher Retires

The publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader is retiring. The 63-year-old Timothy Kelly has been with the paper for 22 years, 15 of which as president and publisher. He will step down on June 3rd. On June 6th, Rufus Friday will take over leadership of the paper. Friday is currently publisher of the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Washington. Both the Tri-City Herald and the Herald-Leader are owned by the McClatchy Company.

Kelly tells the Herald-Leader that he considered retiring two years ago when the newspaper was cutting jobs. He says his decision to stay was based on the hiring of a new editor, the potential for economic recovery and the upcoming World Equestrian Games. His doctor ultimately suggested he retire, though the paper reports that Kelly’s health issues are “not calamitous.”